Frequently Asked Questions

General

Port Phillip Ferries is not just a passenger ferry service. We connect people and experiences, and we’re on a mission to transform daily travel between Melbourne and the Geelong and Bellarine regions, one cruise at a time. So forget the traffic and leave the car behind to set sail on an adventure with Port Phillip Ferries.
- Docklands to/from Portarlington (70 mins duration) – details click here
- Docklands to/from Geelong (Direct 95 mins duration) – details click here
- Geelong to/from Portarlington (40 mins duration) – details click here
- Special event cruises (1-2 hours) including discovery cruises, music cruises, scenic cruises – details click here
For detailed destination information, please click the following links;
- Portarlington (Bellarine region) click here
- Geelong click here
- Docklands click here
- Bikes & walking trails click here
- Ferry berth locations & nearby parking click here
All tickets must be pre-purchased. The easiest way to book is ONLINE click here.

Docklands ticket sales location

During opening hours at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal, credit/debit card ticket sales are permitted via the Port Phillip Ferries customer experience team until 40 minutes prior to departure. (This excludes group ticket sales of 10 or more people).

Geelong/Portarlington ticket sales locations

During opening hours, cash ticket sales are permitted via the Portarlington Post Office, or can be arranged by appointment with Portarlington Grand Hotel, Helloworld Travel Drysdale, Geelong West & Waurn Ponds.

Purchases must be finalised at least 40 minutes prior to departure times.

This is to ensure we can manage the number of people on board due to limited and allocated seating and to ensure the boarding process is effective and safe.

To comply with vessel safety requirements, we require full passenger names, telephone contact and or email address.

When boarding, you can present your pre-purchased ticket via your electronic device or in a printed version.
To purchase a return ticket you will need to select two one-way tickets.
1. Select your outbound trip and Add to cart.
2. At the checkout, you will then be able to select your return trip.
We certainly do accept companion cards.

We suggest calling our Customer Care line on (03) 9514 8959 or emailing [email protected] to add a companion traveller to an existing booking.

The details that the customer experience team member will need include;
- The Port Phillip Ferries booking reference
- Companion card holder full name
- Companion card number
- Companion’s First name. Family name and a telephone contact number.
This ferry is a privately owned and operated business and it is not currently linked to the public transport system.
For most concessions, you will need to have one of the following cards:
- Centrelink Health Care Card (cards issued in the name of a child are not eligible)
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
- Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card for all conditions.
- Seniors cards
For more information please visit > https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/about-concessions
Port Phillip Ferries provide group discounts to 25 or more passengers. Details about group bookings can be found by clicking here

If you wish to charter a vessel for a corporate event or occasion please click here for details.
All children 12 years of age or under must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian while on board the ferry or within the ferry docking area. Children must be 13 years of age or older to travel on the ferry unaccompanied.
Any decision to cancel or delay the scheduled ferry service may be as a result of adverse weather conditions and/or technical failures. Any decision to cancel a service will be made to ensure the safety of our passengers, crew, and the vessel and the likely impact on passenger comfort.

Port Phillip Ferries update our twitter feed and website page click here with the latest service announcements, delays, or cancellations. If you are a regular passenger or have an upcoming booking please follow this feed so you have the latest information.

In the unlikely event of a schedule change or service cancellation to an existing booking, passengers will be notified via email or SMS alert.

Passengers impacted by ferry service cancellation booked directly with Port Phillip Ferries on a general ticket will have a choice of credit for future travel within three years or, if requested in writing within 30 days of service cancellation, a refund of the original ferry ticket value. Multi-trip pass holders will be refunded directly to their designated Multi-trip pass.
General tickets are non-refundable / non-transferable. Outside 48 hours of your original travel date, you can cancel your ticket via your emailed booking confirmation (refer to the highlighted image below). Alternatively, our customer experience team may approve date changes if contacted at [email protected] or by calling 03 95148959.
As a measure apart of Port Phillip Ferries COVID19 safety response if you are feeling unwell, please don’t travel.

Effective 9 December 2020; Should the circumstances of your health change between the time of ticket purchase and date of travel, you can obtain a credit by contacting our customer service on (03) 9514 8959 or [email protected] up until the time of service departure.
Boarding Opens: 20 minutes prior to departure and Boarding Closes: 3 minutes prior to departure. If you are travelling with a bike please also allow extra boarding time to load and secure it.

As we are a public ferry service we are unable to hold vessels for late passengers. Failure to adhere to boarding times may result in you missing your cruise. If you miss your booked service, you are not entitled to a refund, date, or time change. Ferry tickets are designated to a date, time and destination to ensure we maintain safety and comfort of all passengers.

Click Here for alternative travel suggestions if you have missed your service.
In line with the current Victorian Government Roadmap, public transport operators do not require passenger proof of COVID-19 vaccination. However, this position is subject to change and is something Port Phillip Ferries will monitor closely and adhere to as the Victorian Government advice changes.

As public transport operators, Port Phillip Ferries can continue to take bookings and welcome people on board our ferry services. Our travel partners, including but not limited to restaurants, attractions, accommodation providers and tour operators, may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon booking or entry. For further information, please verify with each operator or visit the Victorian Government COVID-19 website https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/

Port Phillip Ferries will continue the high level of COVID-19 safety protocols in place since the beginning of the pandemic. These include contactless ticketing, the mandatory wearing of face masks while onboard, social distanced seating and additional cleaning services before and after each service.
In line with Victorian Government announcements made on 21st September 2022, fitted face masks are no longer mandatory when travelling on public transport but are instead strongly recommended following the existing indoor mask recommendations.

Face masks remain a highly effective tool to help reduce transmission and protect the most at-risk members of the community. Port Phillip Ferries will continue to make masks available for passengers that request one and will provide additional cleaning of all high-touch surfaces with disinfectant before and after each service.

For further updates on COVID-19 visit www.portphillipferries.com.au/covid-19-update/
Bicycles are most welcome, and we do not currently charge for bicycles to come on board. Isn’t that spoketacular?!

We can only carry 20 bikes at a time on each vessel, so make sure to book in a rack to avoid disappointment. When selecting passenger type in your online booking you are also able to choose how many bikes you are travelling with. Please note Port Phillip Ferries do not take responsibility for passenger items including bikes and e-bikes.
- Please also allow extra boarding time to load and secure bikes. We recommend to be at boarding at least 20 minutes prior to departure.
- We recommend to take a ebike waterproof cover in the even there is splashback from seawater or rainwater.
Negative. Unfortunately, we cannot allow Vespas or motorbikes onboard our vessels – but we do accommodate wheelchairs and motorised mobility scooters on board our ferries for those with accessibility needs.
You betcha! Our gift cards are live and for sale. Woohoo. They can be purchased here or via the purple ‘Book’ button above our main menu.
- Gift Cards can be used as tender to purchase any Port Phillip Ferries operated product online. (This excludes third-party operated packages).
- Gift Cards are sent electronically via email to the recipient
- You can send the gift card along with a custom message once your purchase is confirmed
- Gift Cards are valid 3 years from date of purchase
To redeem, select Gift Card as a payment type during checkout and enter the gift card number. Please note Gift Cards are valid 3 years from date of purchase.
- Refer to the highlighted image below:
- To redeem, click Apply a Gift Card and copy in the code(s) that will be provided to you in the confirmation email. This field is located in the payments section to the left of the price total.
Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome on board our vessels, provided you and your assistance animal carry the appropriate/valid accreditation to travel.

For details on what is deemed a valid accreditation visit Public Transport Victoria or click here

Other pets or animals are not permitted on board. Our vessel does not have the space or facilities to cater to animals, and the decision is made for the comfort of the pets and other passengers. We appreciate your understanding.

Onboard Vessels

Lost Property

If you believe you have lost property on the ferry, please email us at [email protected] with the following details to log your item: full name, lost item, date of item lost, phone number.

The operations team will then be in touch only if that item was located. These emails will be monitored within business hours of Mon – Fri, 9 – 5 pm. If the item is located, it will be held at our office in Docklands for collection. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity or disposed of responsibly after 60 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Onboard Vessels

Lost Property

Accessibility

Parking and Transport

Luggage and Storage